Support we offer
Our Charis team works discreetly to protect your privacy at all times; we offer free and confidential support, and key-working.
Charis is a free, confidential, person-centred service for women, and trans women, trans feminine and non-binary people and anyone assigned male at birth (AMAB) but who identifies differently, affected by or in the sex industry within Hertfordshire.
This includes those who consider themselves sex workers, independent and agency escorts, those that work in licensed sex establishments, and those who exchange sex for necessities (such as rent, food, drugs etc).
We are all different and each of our experiences are unique…and therefore we will not make any assumptions about what support you may want or need. We work with the utmost care and respect for each individual person.
Our office hours are:
MONDAY: 9:30am – 3pm
TUESDAY: 9am – 4.30pm
WEDNESDAY: CLOSED
THURSDAY: 9am – 4pm
FRIDAY: CLOSED
OUR FREE SERVICE INCLUDES:
A non-judgmental, confidential* environment to talk and be listened to over a cuppa
Information about, and referrals to, other local services that might be helpful
Sexual Health advice
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea self-testing kits
UGLY MUGS dodgy punter alerts and reporting information
Safety advice
Personal safety alarms
Condoms and lube
Toiletries
Pregnancy tests
Support to exit the sex industry, or make changes, if you want to
Accompanying to appointments
Hospital, rehab and prison visits
Food parcels (through the local foodbank)
Spiritual support, should you want it
And if we are unable to help with something, with your permission we will introduce you to someone who can!
Please note that many of the items that we provide (eg sexual health items, personal safety alarms etc) can be given to you in person or posted directly to you.
*CONFIDENTIALITY
Anything you say to us will be treated as confidential unless this puts you or other people at risk of harm.
If we have to break confidentiality, we will discuss it with you first or as soon as is possible.
We carefully consider safeguarding in all areas of our work to ensure that we recognise, respond to and prevent abuse. When appropriate and necessary we seek advice and guidance from other specialist organisations.
Our team is always more than happy to answer any questions you have about support we can offer or the way we work - so please do ask us.
We encourage personal growth, health, well-being and safety but we are mindful to go at your pace and always want to be led by you as to any changes you'd like to make in your life.
Charis respects the choices of all the people we work with, but we are a drug and alcohol-free service.
This means that we do not allow use of these substances at any of our appointments with you, activities or events.
If you are in danger or do not feel safe, please call the police on 999.
Alternatively, for help and advice, you can contact the Salvation Army's 24-hour confidential anti-trafficking referral helpline on 0300 303 8151.
